Pega stood in water up to her calves and played her parents' favorite melody.

It was a simple gift of calm in the storm - one that Pishkar said brought tears to his eyes.

"This thing happened to us. It will get us closer to each other and, at the same time, we will have something to remember," Pishkar said.

Pega said despite the floodwater impacting the sound, she played on.

"I could hear it was kind of getting weird, but I was just-- it was just something normal to do, and I just wanted to make everyone happy," she said.

Unable to say goodbye just yet, the family moved the instrument into another room, doubtful it can be saved.

"This is out of tune," Pega said, plinking one of the keys. "I can hear it and it's kind of difficult. Like, it's not sounding right."

Pega's parents -- Iranian Americans who immigrated to the US in their 20s -- said despite their losses in Hurrican Harvey, the family is grateful.

Talking about volunteers, Pishkar said, "the people, they came in. They walked down the street. 'You need help? You want the sheet rocks out? You want the trash out? You want the furniture up?' They came and helped us."

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Pega's mom Maryam said she told her daughter, "'You know, we are very lucky to live in such a country like this.' And hopefully when (Pega) grows up, she can help other people."

Out of tune and possibly beyond repair, the Pishkar's flooded piano will always serve as a reminder that a gesture of love can bring a measure of "normal" to a dissonant day.

The family plans to repair and clean their home while they stay with friends. Sadly, the piano is waterlogged beyond repair, making the final melody one to cherish even more. Already, the Pishkars have received offers to give them a free piano.